More angling on television from BT Sport

Angling scored a massive victory this week after signing a deal with BT Sport to bring a host of action-packed fishing programmes into the homes of millions.

Carp Team England boss Rob Hughes and his media company RHAP Media have signed a three-year deal with the broadcaster that insists fishing will ‘expand the depth and range of BT Sport’s programming’ when it broadcasts a host of exciting programmes and coverage of some of the biggest events in angling.

Exclusive coverage of events such as the 2016 World Championships, the World Carp Championships and the £60,000 Maver Match This will be just some of the 15 shows that will provide in-depth programmes from the majority of competitions from the international and domestic match scene.

The deal will see a total of 27 programmes aired in 2016 and the remaining 12 will form a magazine- style show that Rob has revealed will take influence from hit programmes Top Gear, Countryfile and the Gadget Show in order to deliver a type of fishing show that has never been seen before.

“This is a massive step for angling and I’m delighted to be working with BT Sport because it is totally behind the promotion of angling. I can’t contain my excitement about this project,” said Rob.

“We have exclusive rights to the lion’s share of all of the major events in the calendar and will be looking to increase the portfolio of events we cover, to include sea fishing and predator angling. Programmes will be broadcast shortly after they take place.

“I can’t reveal much about the magazine show at this time, but it’s going to blow everyone away.

“It’s going to feature big names, be entertaining, instructional and will also address the important conservational and environmental aspects of angling.”

“Not only do we have 27 shows coming out this year, but angling will also have a presence on the BT Sport website. News on our shows and initiatives will also be shared via the channel’s social media outlets, plus the BT Sport App.

“This is a massive opportunity to get angling into the homes and consciousnesses of people who don’t even go fishing.”

Rob’s credentials speak for themselves – not only is he one of the most respected carp anglers in the UK, but he’s been making hit TV programmes for 15 years and has revolutionised the coverage of competition fishing. He also works with the Angling Trust/Sport England to promote participation in the sport at all levels.

With this depth of experience, coupled with the backing of such a major player in the world of sports broadcasting, the future of fishing on TV just got brighter than ever.

Simon Green, head of BT Sport, said: "This will further expand the range and depth of BT Sport's programing. We look forward to serving the angling world with coverage of some of the leading fishing events over the coming years."

Exclusive coverage of the competition season kicks off in May with round one of the UK Angling Championship, which is fished by Britain's top match anglers.

EVENTS SET TO BE BROADCAST IN 2016

Here are the events set to be broadcast by BT Sport in 2016. Rob also has plans for the creation of new events in the future:

- World Freshwater Angling Championships

- European Championships

- World Feeder Championships

- World Carp Championships

- World Carp Classic

- World Predator Classic

- UK Champs

- British Carp Championships

- Maver Match This

- Parkdean Masters